Dana Reeve

After a lengthy, diverse career, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly which contribution earned Dana Reeve the respect of so many. Some pointed to her work as an actor and cabaret singer; others, to h...
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Robin Williams Honored by Son at Fundraiser

By:
WENN.com
Nov 21, 2014

Robin Williams' son Zak spoke publicly about his father's death for the first time as he honored the late actor at a charity fundraiser on Thursday (20Nov14).
The 31 year old attended the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation gala in New York City to celebrate Williams' friendship with the Superman star, who died in 2004, nearly 20 years after he was paralyzed in a horse-riding accident.
During his onstage speech, Zak Williams opened up about the bond between the Hollywood actors, telling the audience, "They had a tremendous love for one another... The amazing thing about their relationship was their incredible drive to take the time to love, to help, and to appreciate others, even while they found themselves in great pain... They always found time to give their all to those in need. Bringing light and healing where there's darkness, pain, or suffering is absolutely vital."
The Good Will Hunting star committed suicide in August (14) and Zak also told Entertainment Tonight how the family is coping with the loss of the comedian, saying, "We're doing okay. We're working hard to build our strength and acclimating to the new normal... A large part of what we're doing through this grieving process is giving and spending time focusing on others... The outpouring was remarkable. People shared their supportive words, art, and all sorts of amazing tributes to my father."

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The children of late actor Christopher Reeve have added their tribute to their dad's close friend and college roommate Robin Williams, thanking the tragic funnyman for his "simple, steadfast friendship" over the years.
The pair struck up a friendship back in the 1970s, while attending New York's prestigious Julliard School, where the aspiring actors became roommates. They remained close after college and made a vow to one another, promising that the first person to make it big in Hollywood would take care of the other, and Williams was there for his old pal in 1995, when he was left paralysed following a horse riding accident.
The Mrs. Doubtfire comedian reportedly helped to pay for Reeve's medical treatment and lifted the quadriplegic's spirits as he prepared to undergo life-saving surgery by bursting into the operating room, pretending to be an eccentric Russian surgeon ready to perform a rectal exam on him.
Williams, 63, died from a suspected suicide on Monday (11Aug14), 10 years after Reeve suffered a fatal heart attack in 2004, and now the Superman star's family has honoured the funnyman's memory.
In a statement issued to People.com, they write: "For Robin, our dad was 'Brother Reeve'. Robin was a light in our family for as long as we can remember. He and Dad made each other laugh, and they stood by each other to the end. Our hearts ache for his family."
Williams, who dedicated his Cecil B. Demille Award at the 2005 Golden Globes to his late friend, was also a key supporter of the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation, a charity set up by the Reeve family following the death of Christopher's wife, Dana, in 2006. The organisation aims to raise funds to find treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.
Charity officials added their words of condolence late on Monday, in a message that reads: "While the world knew Robin Williams as an Oscar-winning actor, we knew a different side to the man whose smile was as big as his heart. "While our hearts ache with the loss of our friend, it is unlikely Robin would want us to mourn his passing with silence, but to celebrate his life through laughter. "Together, let's remember Robin for the man who made the world laugh."

Actors Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Joaquin Phoenix are among the mourners who gathered in New York on Friday (07Feb14) to attend the private funeral of tragic actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Other celebrity friends and admirers, including Michelle Williams, Ethan Hawke, Ellen Burstyn, John Slattery, Mary Louise Parker, Jerry Stiller, Marisa Tomei and Spike Lee, were also spotted arriving at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Manhattan's Upper East Side to pay their respects and say farewell to the Oscar winner, who died from a suspected heroin overdose on Sunday (02Feb14).
An estimated 400 guests joined Hoffman's longtime girlfriend, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three young children for the service, which took place a day after friends, family and former co-stars remembered the 46 year old at a wake at the nearby Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home.
The church where the funeral is currently taking place is the same venue where R&B star Aaliyah and former U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis' memorial services were held.
The actor's family has asked for charity donations in lieu of flowers for The DreamYard Project and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation - Hoffman's favourite causes.
A larger, public memorial is expected to be held later this month (Feb14).

Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Michelle Williams were among the stars who turned out to remember Philip Seymour Hoffman at a wake in New York City on Thursday evening (06Feb14). The actor was found dead at his home in the Big Apple on Sunday (02Feb14) following a suspected drug overdose, and his famous friends gathered to honour him on the night before his funeral.
Blanchett, who appeared with the actor in 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley, attended the gathering at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan along with Hoffman's The Master co-stars Phoenix and Adams.
Williams, who worked with the star on 2008's Synecdoche, New York, was also in attendance, along with actor Josh Hamilton and Hoffman's former partner Mimi O'Donnell and three young children, Cooper, Willa and Tallulah.
A private funeral service for Hoffman will take place in New York City on Friday (07Feb14), and a memorial service will be held later this month (Feb14). The actor's family has asked for charity donations in lieu of flowers for The DreamYard Project and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

A New York radio personality who was one of the last people to speak to tragic star Philip Seymour Hoffman has revealed the actor appeared to be "wasted" the night before his death on Sunday (02Feb14). The Oscar winner was found dead from a suspected heroin overdose on Sunday morning, just hours after a street encounter with producer Paul Pabst.
The Dan Patrick Show regular tells Entertainment Tonight that the movie star seemed a little on edge and "out of it" as they chatted.
He recalls, "He did seem off. Right after he walked away my sister turned towards me and said, 'Wow, he seemed kind of wasted...' My sister goes, 'Oh boy, you know he was in rehab not too long ago'."
"I said, 'That's right, I hope he's not using again'."
Reports suggest Hoffman left Pabst and took $1,200 (GBP7,500) in six transactions from an ATM machine inside a grocery store near his New York apartment. A witness has told police that Hoffman bought drugs from two men.
The Capote star's family and closest friends will gather for a private funeral service in New York, while a memorial service is being planned by his longtime partner Mimi O'Donnell, the mother of the actor's three kids.
A representative for Hoffman refused to give out dates and details, but stated, "In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Phil's name to two charities that were very close to his heart: The DreamYard Project and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The family wishes to thank everyone for their continued support and good wishes."

The Devil Wears Prada star was a guest speaker at the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation event, but she was lost for words when Blaine performed his party trick.
Streep was photographed with her hand held to her mouth in shock as the magician grabbed a wine glass from her table and began to chew on it.
Blaine tells Vulture.com, "I'm not allowed to do it (the trick) often, because I get in trouble for it. But I really like to do it."

The movie, which tells the story of a paralysed millionaire and his young, live-in carer, has shattered box office records around the world since its release earlier this year (12) and will now receive an award from the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation for its compelling subject matter.
Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein will accept the Dana Reeve Hope Award on behalf of the film's two directors, Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, at a fundraising gala in New York in November (12).
Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation, says in a statement, "The Dana Reeve Hope Award is presented to a person or organisation that has shown amazing grace, strength and fortitude... It is only fitting that we honour The Intouchables for touching audiences worldwide and reminding us of the commonalities shared between all of us, no matter the circumstances."
Weinstein adds, "Christopher and Dana Reeve have bettered the lives of millions, and the fact that this film is the first ever to be honoured by them shows us how the film's true story touches the hearts of so many like it did ours."
Superman star Reeve was paralysed in a horse-riding accident in 1995 and his wife, Dana, helped care for him until his death in 2004. Dana died of lung cancer two years later (06).

The Superman star died from a heart attack in 2004 after years of being wheelchair-bound following a horse-riding accident in 1995.
His wife Dana passed away in 2006 after a battle with lung cancer and the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation was announced the following year (07).
The late actor's children from a previous relationship, Matthew and Alexandra, were on hand to represent the couple at the glitzy New York gala in aid of the organisation, which aims to find treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.
It's Complicated co-stars Streep and Baldwin took on hosting duties, while other star guests included Mark Ruffalo and Dave Annable.

Will was just 11 years old when the Superman star died from a heart attack in 2004 after years of being wheelchair-bound following a horse-riding accident in 1995.
Further tragedy struck the 17 year old when his mother Dana passed away in 2006 after a battle with lung cancer - leaving him an orphan at the age of 13.
But Will proved he's overcome his difficult early years as he took to the stage to promote their charity, the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation, at a glitzy gala in the Big Apple on Wednesday.
In front of star guests including Joan Collins and Meryl Streep, Will recounted times he spent with his parents as a youngster and credited them with becoming his inspiration.
He told the audience, "To me, Mom and Dad were the people who forced me to eat broccoli and to turn the TV off to do my homework. I never consciously viewed them as inspirations then, but their heroic efforts shaped who I am today and who I hope to become tomorrow.
"Some of my fondest memories of our family take place in our driveway, where I'm running around playing one sport or another. Dad's watching me with a smile on his face the size of Texas, and Mom has her hands around Dad's shoulders, letting go only to play fetch with our tennis ball-addict white Lab (Labrador).
"If I told you that story, and you knew nothing about me or my parents, I think it's safe to say that you would have no clue that I was describing a family dealing with paralysis. That is the most important thing that a family struggling with a member's disability can do: try to make life as normal as possible."

We can now use two hands to count everything we know about Super 8! (But just barely two hands).
1 and 2: Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning are in it. We don’t know who or what they play, but we know they got parts. Kyle Chandler is known for Friday Night Lights, a show that everyone recommends to me, but growing up in a football frenzied town in the South just doesn’t appeal to me. Elle Fanning is the sister of Dakota Fanning. And seeing how she was born in 1998 (1998!), looks kinda creepy, and just got cast in a J.J. Abrams movie (thus earning my daily dose of jealousy), she shall not be commented upon.
3: J.J. and Steven Spielberg are behind it.
4: This super awesome trailer.
5: It’s about three kids who discover aliens in some Super 8 footage of theirs. And this isn’t even officially confirmed!
6: It’s coming out next summer.
There. You officially know as much as we do about Super 8. And we’re professionals.
Source: NY Mag

Title

Sang the title song on the soundtrack of the HBO drama, "In the Gloaming," directed by her husband

Performed in the Broadway-bound play "Brooklyn Boy" in California

Had a featured role on the daytime soap "All My Children" (ABC)

Co-hosted a live daily talk show for women on the Lifetime Network

Starred in "The Brooke Ellison Story," a TV movie about the life of Brooke Ellison, the first quadriplegic to graduate from Harvard; the final directing project of husband Christopher Reeve

Guest-starred in four episodes of the HBO drama "Oz"

Wrote and published, Carepackages: Letters to Christopher Reeve from Strangers and Other Friends

Summary

After a lengthy, diverse career, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly which contribution earned Dana Reeve the respect of so many. Some pointed to her work as an actor and cabaret singer; others, to her work as activist on behalf of spinal chord injury research. Still others simply admired her devotion to her husband, actor Christopher "Superman" Reeve, following an equestrian accident which left him paralyzed for the rest of his life. In truth, Dana Reeve deserved all the accolades heaped upon her during her all too brief, sometimes tragic life.<p>Born Feb. 19, 1961, Dana Charles Morosini was the daughter of Teaneck, NJ cardiologist Charles Morosini and his wife Helen Simpson Morosini. She had two sisters, Deborah and Adrienne. The family grew up in Greenburgh, NY, where Reeve attended Edgemont High School. After graduation, she moved on to Middlebury College and before her 1984 graduation, spent a year at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After receiving her bachelor's degree in English Literature cum laude, she continued her dramatic training with graduate classes at the California Institute of the Arts, determined to be a great stage performer one day.<p>Her professional relationship with the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts would prove to be one of the most important of her life. In spite of her acting talents, she was originally hired for her singing skills. Her early work at the Festival, as an apprentice and as a member of the Cabaret Corps (she eventually became a member of the Board of Trustees), gave her the opportunity to perform in both musical theater and conventional dramas. Nevertheless, it was during a 1987 late-night cabaret show performance that she caught the eye of audience member and major star, Christopher Reeve. He introduced himself to her after the show and they began dating not long after.<p>On April 11, 1992, she married Reeve in South Williamston and they eventually had a son, Will (Christopher had two children from a previous relationship). The two lived a storybook life until May 27, 1995, when during an equestrian event, Christopher Reeve was thrown from his horse, landing on his head and damaging his spinal chord. It was a touch-and-go situation at first, with Reeve unable to breathe on his own. The irony that "Superman" - of all people - would be cut down in such a physically debilitating way, was not lost on a world that, along with Reeve's immediate family and wide circle of showbiz friends, rallied around his wife and children for weeks. Eventually, Reeve was able to sit in a wheelchair and move around, but not without benefit of his ventilator. Someone with less fortitude might have hit the road, but the loyal Dana Reeve impressed the world by standing by her husband - just as she had promised in her vows not long before. With her love and support, her quadriplegic husband was able to eventually function again - including directing and acting again - albeit in a limited way from his chair, but his efforts to stay a functioning human being inspired many people in many different ways.<p>The accident did more than solidify the Reeves' love; it also helped motivate the couple to use his "Superman" fame for good in the world of medical research. Her husband's paralysis had already drastically changed the focus of her career. Although she continued to act, the couple became deeply involved in charitable work and activism for various causes relating to the needs of the paralyzed and disabled. They co-founded the Christopher Reeve Foundation in 1996, providing grants and lobbying for additional funding for scientific research in fields like spinal cord injury research, while also working to improve living conditions for people with disabilities. By 2006, the organization had already awarded tens of millions of dollars worth of grants.<p>Occasionally, and at her husband's behest, Reeve would find the time to focus on her own career, appearing periodically in television guest spots on shows such as "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990- ), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001- ) and "Oz" (HBO, 1997-2003). She also co-hosted "Lifetime Live," a daily talk show for women on the Lifetime network that aired in 2000. Although she appeared occasionally in films, and was an accomplished singer who had performed at large venues and on television, her true love had always been the stage<p>Reeve found time to perform at regional theaters across the country, as well as in a variety of off-Broadway appearances in New York, including "Portraits" in 2003. She appeared in "More to Love" on Broadway, and would have had returned to the Great White Way for the 2004 production of "Brooklyn Boy" - a play she was performing in its pre-Broadway run in Costa Mesa, CA - had she not been forced to withdraw early. During her Costa Mesa run, she received word that Christopher was teetering on the verge of death. She rushed home from the West Coast to see him one last time before he passed away on Oct. 10, 2004 from an unexpected cardiac arrest. The world mourned the death of this "Super Man," as he was often referred to in the media, and marveled at his widow's strength in the face of her seemingly continuous bad fortune.<p>After her husband died, Reeve's fervor for medical miracles only grew. She stepped up and became the chairperson of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, and despite protestations from the right-wing fringe, began to lobby for human embryonic stem cell research as a cure for spinal chord injury, among other diseases. She also began to work as a motivational speaker and an author, penning <i>Care Packages: Letters to Christopher Reeve from Strangers and Other Friends</i>. She was signed to a seven-figure deal to write another book about her life with her late husband. Her work earned her numerous awards and commendations, including the "Shining Example Award" from Procter & Gamble in 1998; a 2003 "American Image Award" from the American Apparel & Footwear Association; and "Mother of the Year" from the American Cancer Society in 2005.<p>Sadly, Reeve was never able to complete the second book. Though a non-smoker, she announced that she had lung cancer on Aug. 9, 2005 - yet another cruel twist of fate by anyone's estimation. Although she quietly underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, on March 6, 20006, she died in New York just seven months later, plunging the world into mourning yet again. Though Reeve never was able to achieve her own showbiz dreams and was not some heralded superhero on screen, she achieved far more - the good will, respect and love from people of all race and creed for the way she had bravely carried herself - first, following her husband's accident and death nine yeas later, and finally, by battling the deadly cancer she had unjustly been inflicted with. The couple's orphaned son Will, who would join a school friend's family following his mother's arrangement, was for a time, looked at as a child of the world, with letters of condolences and offers to take care of him coming in from around the globe. When Reeve was laid to rest not long after her death, the outpouring of grief from scientists, former presidents, politicians, movie stars and spinal chord injury victims - as well as family and friends - filled the church in a way that no one - let alone the modest Dana Reeve herself - would have ever predicted.